Spanning 282.9 miles across Pennsylvania, this journey from Franklin to Bethlehem typically takes about 5 hours and 41 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you can comfortably complete the trip without an overnight stay, though you should factor in roughly $47 for fuel costs. You will navigate a variety of corridors, including the Keystone Shortway, the William Penn Highway, and US Highway 322. Since both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Northeast, the trip provides a consistent regional feel. Whether you are traveling for business or a visit, this straightforward trek is best approached as a practical one-day commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
141.5 miles from Franklin, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
153.1 mi
2h 44m
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi
26m
US Highway 322
17.2 mi
25m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
10.3 mi
14m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 153.1 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on 13th Street
27 ft·5 sec·13th Street
2
Turn right onto US 62; US 322; PA 8
0.8 mi·2 min·Liberty Street
3
Turn left onto US 322
0.2 mi·15 sec·8th Street
4
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·Lakes To the Sea Highway
5
Continue on US 322
4.8 mi·7 min·US Highway 322
6
Continue on US 322
2.7 mi·4 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
7
Continue on US 322
12 mi·17 min·US Highway 322
8
Continue on US 322
5.1 mi·7 min·Main Street
9
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
10
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
11
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
12
Continue on US 322
4.1 mi·5 min·Route 322
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
14
Merge onto I 80
153 mi·2 hr 44 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
16
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
17
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
19
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
20
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
22
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
23
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
24
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
25
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
26
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
27
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
28
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
29
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
30
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
31
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Centre Street
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
34
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi·26 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
10 mi·14 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI AirportUse the slight right lane.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville RoadUse the slight right lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: BethlehemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi·2 min·Bethlehem Spur Route
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 2Toward Eighth AvenueUse the slight right lane.
40
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·8th Avenue
41
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·West Union Boulevard
42
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft·11 sec·Center Street
43
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Goepp Street
44
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft·1 sec·Linden Street
45
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Planning for a single stop is highly recommended to break up the nearly six-hour duration and keep your energy levels consistent. Given the turn-heavy profile of the roads, try to depart early in the morning to ensure you are navigating the more technical sections during daylight hours. Since you are looking at a fuel budget of $47, keep an eye on your gauge during the longer 153.1-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway to avoid any mid-route stress. Because this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; if you find yourself needing extra time, you have the freedom to adjust your pace without worrying about a rigid multi-day itinerary.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 141.5 miles from Franklin, PA, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 62 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.5 miles or 2h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethlehem, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Franklin, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Franklin, PA
This is one driving day of about 282.9 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Franklin, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 153.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 189.5 and 281.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
189.5 mi into trip|~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
9
268.7 mi into trip|~5h 20m in|US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI A...
7
278.9 mi into trip|~5h 34m in
Take the exit toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville...
8
279.1 mi into trip|~5h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
7
281.2 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward Eighth Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.90 one way
$93.80 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$51.37
$102.74
premium
$4.93
$54.86
$109.73
diesel
$5.61
$62.46
$124.92
Estimated Tolls: $0.72
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(10.3 mi)$0.72
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.9
1
$29.70
$13.58
Efficient EV
70.7
0
$24.75
$11.32
EV Truck/SUV
113.2
1
$39.61
$18.11
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 11, 2026
Origin
Franklin, PA
Morning
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
7:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Sunny
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 6:59AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:53AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Morning
in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
7:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
NW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 6:59AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:53AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 41m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 234.1
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While you will spend 11% of your journey on highways, the character of the road is defined by its technical, local nature rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Keystone Shortway, covering 153.1 miles of the total distance. As you transition between the various state and US highways, the driving environment shifts frequently, offering a more engaging experience than a straight highway shot. Prepare for a dynamic pace that keeps you alert as you navigate the winding segments between your origin and destination.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 189.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 282.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 189.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.7 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 278.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,788 ft349 ft
Total Climb
3,306 ft
Total Descent
3,960 ft
Highest Point
1,788 ft
~70.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,439 ft
Notable High Points
1,783 ft at ~153.2 miles+713 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Washingtonville and Lvi Airport.
Franklin is a city in Venango County, in the Erie Region of Pennsylvania. Franklin, Titusville and Oil City, make up the Oil Region. Although the town remains rather quiet, the oil boom has left the city with many historic buildings. The architectural features range from Victorian to Gothic Revival; it is said that all of the architectural styles used in the state from 1830 to 1930 can be observed in Franklin. The Appalachian Mountains and forests that surround the area also make it a popular destination for hikers and bikers looking to get out of the cities to experience nature.
Bethlehem is one of three cities, along with Allentown and Easton, that are the urban population centers of the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania.
In the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem borders Nazareth to its northwest, Allentown to its west, Hellertown to its southeast, and Easton to its east. The city is about 70 miles (110 km) north of Philadelphia, the sixth-largest city in the United States, and about 80 miles (130 km) west of New York City, the nation's largest city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 282.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.72 in tolls one way, starting with Lehigh Valley Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bethlehem, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 189.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.7 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 278.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bethlehem, PA before the return drive.
